March For The Alternative: Major Anti-Cuts Protests In London Today

17:10 We'll probably leave things there, unless there are any major developments. Well done to the hundreds of thousands who marched today. Organisers are now claiming it was in the top 5 largest demonstrations in UK history.

16:18 Hyde Park official rally winding down now, although some marchers are still arriving. An incredible day.

16:11 Can we just say, well done to the BBC. After an inappropriate focus on the minor vandalism earlier (cutting off from Ed Milliband's speech), they just spent the first 11 minutes of their 4pm bulletin talking exclusively about the peaceful march and rally. Balance redressed.

16:07 Fortnum and Mason appears to be the current front line for the occupiers. Around 300 people have occupied the building. Chants of 'You can stick your royal wedding up your arse', reported.

15.52 The RMT has a brass band and they're pretty good. Who knew?

15:42 The march is now approaching completion. Last of the walkers have passed through Trafalgar Square on their way to Hyde Park.

15:35 UK Uncut demonstration beginning in Oxford Circus.

15:29 A Liberty legal observer tells us they've heard an attendance count of 460,000 for the TUC-led rally.

15:17 According to @SteveCurran, "Hyde Park. Like a massive village fete. Brass bands, pensioners &Tony Robinson."

15:15 One splinter group going round trashing windows. Police seem to be doing a good job of holding back, but recording evidence to make later arrests.

15:04 Sounds like plenty of fun (albeit with a serious message) in Hyde Park. Only report of trouble comes from @KellyClark who's had her sandwich stolen by a dog.

14:53 Breakaway group now at the Ritz. It's getting a bit of a pelting.

14:37 Official march and rally appears to have been a complete success. However, TV aren't covering the rally, focusing on street disturbances. And so are most tweeters. Let us know what's going on in the park.

13:45 Rally begins in Hyde Park; Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC, is bellowing his lungs out. Ed Sillyhand is up in a bit.

13:41 A breakaway group, waving red flags and described as the 'black bloc' are marching with purpose towards Oxford Street. We'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now...perhaps they're just going shopping. (Although something's brewing.)

13.30 A successful march so far. Only one arrest reported, which is probably fewer than you'd get on a normal day over this many people. 'Worst London Marathon ever!' (@wowser)

Demonstrators gathered on Victoria Embankment have set off on a three-mile walk through central London in protest against the government's cuts agenda. The route takes them through Whitehall to Trafalgar Square and on to Hyde Park (annotated map here).

The main march is organised by the TUC, and aims to be a good-natured family event. Over 1,500 TUC stewards will oversee the march to ensure safety. Meanwhile, 4,500 police officers have been deployed around London. No one knows how many marchers will turn out, but hundreds of thousands are predicted. The Guardian has a good roundup of the various interest groups taking part.

Alongside the main protest, a number of fringe movements are hoping to grab some of the attention. Boing Boing have done an excellent job of rounding up these events, which include a giant wooden horse in Camberwell and occupations by groups such as UK Uncut. Meanwhile unofficial 'feeder marches' will coalesce with the main march, including one from Kennington.

Timetable11.00 March assembles on Victoria Embankment.
11.30 March gets underway
13.30 March reaches Hyde Park for rally
14.00 UK Uncut groups begin protests on Oxford Street
14.00 In Hyde Park, giant 'hush' followed by air-raid sirens and lots of noise at 14.11
15.30 UK Uncut regroup at Oxford Circus ahead of new building occupation
16.30 Official end time for Hyde Park rally
17.00 'Battle of Britain' parties at five locations (forming a pentacle!)
20.30 Lights go out around London for Earth Hour